Scotch
Plains Mayor Credits Business and Professional
Association With Rebuilding Downtown 97mar27

Mayor Irene T. Schmidt was the
guest speaker last Friday at the Scotch Plains Business
and Professional Associations annual dinner dance
at Snuffys Pantagis. In her address, Mrs. Schmidt
thanked the association for the opportunity to speak at
the event, which benefits the organizations
Downtown Beautification Program, although she likened it
to "preaching to the choir" in terms of the
organizations proven dedication to the community.

"You are here tonight because you
have already made a commitment. A commitment to play a
major role in our proud community of involved
people," the Mayor told an audience of nearly 60
people. "Your role is unique because you are
planning and rebuilding a major part of community life in
Scotch Plains, and also protecting your livelihood."

Recalling the era before
shopping malls, the Mayor noted that "small
downtowns were the community centers around which people
structured their lives, interacted with neighbors and
established the quality of life to which they
aspired." She added that even today "downtowns
are often the environment in which you earn your living
and provide essential goods and services to your
neighbors.

"If there is a perceived
crisis in downtowns today, it stems from the fact that
the original downtown centers developed around the horse
and pedestrian," the Mayor explained.

"Shopping malls and strip
malls developed around the automobile. As we became more
mobile, we drifted away from our hometown/downtown roots.
We were drawn to the car, to the highway and to the
mall," she continued.

Mrs. Schmidt told how, when she
was a young mother in Scotch Plains, the family only had
one car, so she depended on the stores in her local
downtown to provide her with the things she needed. She
recalled how she shopped for all her childrens
clothes at the Stork Fair on Park Avenue, where she said
she enjoyed the "personal service" as well as
the availability of high-quality merchandise.

She reminisced about how once,
when she was living in Fanwood, the assistant to the
owner of Stork Fair came to her home with a selection of
three raincoats when her daughter, Francie, didnt
have a raincoat to wear to school and Mrs. Schmidt did
not have a car to get to the store. The assistant, Dennis
Pedicini, and his mother later became the owners of the
store.

"We know what life has
become as a result of malls," the Mayor commented.
"We have also seen the evolution in our thinking and
way of life. Women who previously might have been
entranced by the huge variety of goods in malls and who
may at some point in their lives stayed at home, probably
enjoyed a day out at the mall."

She maintained, however, that
the perception of malls has changed as shopping centers
have become "massive, impersonal and traffic
clogged." She also noted that "women do not
have time today. They value their personal time and do
not find malls stimulating or desirable."

Invoking Yankee baseball legend
Yogi Berras phrase that "its so crowded,
nobody goes there anymore," the Mayor remarked that
people are now looking for ways in which to simplify
their busy lives. She said people "want to shop in a
friendly atmosphere where they can purchase their needs
without the necessity of an all-day outing.

"You can key in this idea
with the emphasis on health and exercise in our
lives," Mrs. Schmidt observed. "Most people
would rather spend their personal time playing golf,
biking or participating in their childrens sport.
They need a pleasant place to shop."

She described the downtown as
"the heart of the community" which needs to be
planned and nurtured.

"An active and thriving
central business district creates a source of community
pride, creates a positive identity and a sense of place,
while supporting local property values," the Mayor
said. "However, to accomplish this, we will need an
active partnership, representing concerned citizens and
local government and most of all, you, business owners
and property owners.

"I am so proud of the
dedication and energy which is being generated by the
Business and Professional Association," Mrs. Schmidt
continued. "You have had a vision and determination
to work together in accomplishing more in a few short
years than has been accomplished over the last 25 years
or more."

The Mayor, who argued that
"small, quaint towns" are now being favored
over the congested environment of malls, reported that
the first meeting of Scotch Plains Downtown
Development Committee went "very well." Among
the key points highlighted by the meeting, Mrs. Schmidt
said, was that service is the competitive edge. She said
that the committees major goals include physical
revitalization of the township, as well as marketing and
streetscape improvements.

"My personal goals are to
better manage the traffic through our main street. I have
already expressed my concerns to Police Chief Thomas
OBrien and he has responded in a very positive
manner as to the work that the department is planning in
conjunction with the county to help with the traffic
problem," Mrs. Schmidt explained.

The Mayor said she has arranged
for Scotch Plains to join Downtown New Jersey, a
networking of small downtowns, and has spoken to the
Mayor of Watchung and a Councilman from North Plainfield
concerning the prospect of regional meetings with the
county, "so that we can have a unified voice before
the Department of Transportation with regard to the
mediation of the serious traffic generated through our
towns as a result of the Route No. 22 expansion and some
of the expansion in Berkeley Heights.

"We are not against
development," she emphasized. "We do, however,
have to make our concerns known regarding the traffic
problem."

The Mayor reported that she
will be "working hard" to achieve buried
underground utilities and to provide attractive street
lamps. "I will be needing your help here," she
said. "Some ideas here could incorporate signage
which would be easily visible from the street."

She said she intends to work
with the Downtown Development Committee and the governing
body "to achieve adequate and efficient
parking."

Mrs. Schmidt wrapped up her
speech by reiterating the importance of personal
attention which customers enjoy in their local downtown.
The Mayor described how several weeks ago, she and her
granddaughter, Jennifer, participated with the Girl
Scouts in Purple Ribbon Day, during which youngsters
adorned the township with purple ribbons as a way to
promote awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug
abuse.

Along their route on East
Second Street, Mrs. Schmidt said she and the Girl Scouts
came upon Seymours Antiques. When the proprietor,
Seymour Stein, learned what the children were doing for
the township, he brought out a basket of assorted old and
decorated thimbles as presents for the girls.

"I am certain many of the
young ladies had no idea what a thimble was used for but
they were so delighted to be presented with such a lovely
little surprise. I know Jennifer was quite intrigued with
her gift and we had to go home and immediately find a
sewing project which kept her busy for some time.